Our Mission

The UCI Center for Psychology & Law is a focal point for research linking the fields of psychology and law. The Center’s primary goals are to foster collaboration and communication among academics, legal professionals, policy makers, and the general public, and to address areas of inquiry where social sciences and legal systems intersect. Our mission is to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public policy. The Center brings together faculty, students, and members of the legal community to address real world problems.

This is the leading Center where you can find answers to practical questions, such as:

To what degree does justice system involvement help or harm delinquent youth?

Does testifying in court have adverse consequences for young children?

How does legal expert commentary influence judicial decision-making?

What is the relation between mental illness and criminal behavior?

What types of errors can occur in forensic DNA testing?

How trustworthy is fingerprint identification evidence?

How does local geography of policing drugs produce racially discriminate outcomes?

What are the consequences of solitary confinement?

Are trends in immigration related to changes in the nature of homicide?